Sewing machine



Feb. 4, 1947. BECKER SEWING MACHINE 4 Filed July 7, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. BECKER SEWING MACHINE Filed July 7, 1945 Feb. 4, .1947.

3' Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuem fm @ecer Feb. 4, 1947. v R, ER 2,415,383

SEWING MACHINE Filed July 7, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zhoenkw Magi fudol olq fief'er Patented Feb. 4, 1947 I misses UNITED STATES N orrii:

Budoiph Becker, North Plainfield, N. 3., assignor to The Singer Manufacturing Company, Elizaheth, N. a corporation of New Jersey Application July 7, 1945, Serial No. 603,656

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to sewing machines and more particluarly to sewing machines having a so-called clamp feeding mechanism, 1. e. workfeeding mechanism having synchronously acting feeding elements engaging the upper and lower faces of the work, and also automatic presserfoot lifting mechanism operated in timed relation with the feeding mechanism.

This invention has as a primary object to provide improved means for actuating the upper feeding mechanism and for automatically raising and lowering the presser-foot (or feet) in timed relation therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved top-feed and presser-foot lifting mechanism which is particularly adapted for heavy duty, multiple needle sewing machines.

With the above and other objects in View, as will hereinafter appear. the invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of I parts hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the embodying the present invention, with the face plate of the machine removed.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the bracket-arm head of the machine showing, in front View, the improved feed actuating and presser-footlifting mechanism but omitting certain other mechanisms which form no part of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a left end view of the parts shown in Fig. 2 together with a portion of the lower workfeeding mechanism, the loop-taker and a portion of its actuating mechanism.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, .the invention is disclosed as embodied in a sewing machine having a frame comprising a pan-like bed or base I, a standard 2 and an overhanging bracket-arm 3 terminating in a bracket-arm head 4. Journaled in bearings 5, lengthwise of the bracket-arm is a main or arm shaft 6 carrying, at its rear end, a combined belt and hand wheel 1 through which the shaft 6 is driven from any suitable source of power.

Mounted in the head 4, for endwise reciprocation, are two needle-bars 8, each having secured to its lower end. a needle carrying block 9. Secured in and extending through the blocks 9 are twohorizontally disposed rods ID upon which may be adjustably secured a plurality of needle-carry: ing blocks, each similar to the blocks 9. Each of the blocks 9 is adapted to carry a needle N, only two of which are shown. Any suitable number of needle-carrying blocks may be mounted upon the rods In and by adjusting them along the rods and securing them thereto, any desired spacing of the needles and consequently any desired spacing of the seams formed thereby may be obtained.

Cooperating with each of the needles in the formation of stitches, is a chain stitch looper L,

also of which only two are shown. These loopers may be of the thread-carrying variety or the nonthread-carrying variety dependent upon whether a two thread or single thread chain stitch seam is desired. The loopers L are secured in an oscillatory looper-carrier l2 in proper position to cooperate with its complemental needle. The looper-carrier, and the loopers carried thereby, are given oscillatory and orbital movements from a rotary feed and looper actuating shaft 53, journaled in bearings M in the base, through mechanism designated generally as r. Inasmuch as the looper actuating mechanism forms no part of the present invention, detailed illustration and description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

The shaft I3 is rotated from the main shaft 5 through the medium of a one-to-one pulley and clip-belt drive, located in a vertically disposed cavity 2 in the standard, and comprising a slotted pulley t on the shaft 6, a similar pulley te on the shaft [3 and a clip-belt 5 connectingthese pulleys.

The needle-bars 8, and the needles carried thereby, are given endwise reciprocation from the arm shaft 6 through mechanism designated generally as y, and in timed relation with the movements of the loopers.

Secured upon the upper side of the bed i are suitable cover plates l and a work-supporting throat-plate l having therein slots it? through which operates the feed-dog It forming a part of a lower four-motioned work-feeding mechanism f, hereinafter to be referred to. During the time that the feed-dog is below the upper face of the throat-plate, the work is held on the work-plate by two presser-feet I! each pivotally mounted upon a shank 11 secured to a collar 48 carried by the lower end of a spring-depressed presser-bar 13 mounted in the head t.

The lower feeding mechanism may be of any suitable 'or preferred construction, such, for example, as that' disclosed in my-United States patent application Serial No. 595,099, filed May Cooperating with the feed-dog I6 of the lower feeding mechanism in the feeding of the work, is an upper feeding and presser-foot lifting mechanism. This mechanism comprises two oscillatory and vertically movable upper feeding feet I9, each fulcrumed by a stud 20 in the tubular forward end portion 2I of an arm or radius bar 22 fulcrumed on a fixed stud 23 threaded into a boss 24 on the lower end of the bracket-arm head. Each feeding foot I9 is provided with a plurality of spaced and arcuate serrated portions I 9 which operate throu h slots I I in the sole portion I? of the Dresser-feet II.

oscillatory movements are transmitted to the feeding feet I9, in timed relation with the feed and return movements of the lower feed-do I6, from an eccentric 25 on the main shaft 6. This eccentric is surrounded by a strap 2-6 having a rearward extension 21 provided with a vertical bore or sleeve 28 in wh ch is slidin ly fitted the cylindrical upper arm 2 9 of lever 29 formed integral with a stud 3'0 journaled in the bracketarm head. The lower arm 29 of the lever 29 is in the form of a segment and has an arcuate slot 3i formed therein. Adjustably mounted in the slot 3| is a block 32 to which is pivotally connected one end of a link 33 the other end of which is pivotally connected to a rock-arm 34 fixed upon a horizontally disposed feed-drive rock-shaft 35 J'ournaled horizontally in the bracket-arm head. Secured upon the outer ends of the shaft 35, exteriorly of the bracket-arm head, are two depending rock-arms 36. each pivotally connected to one end of a link 31, the other end of which is pivoted at 38 to the upper end of one of the feeding feet I 9.

From the foregoing it will be understood that through the mechanism above described, rotation of the eccentric 25 effects oscillatory or feed and return movements in the feeding feet I9 about the axes of the studs 20. The amplitude of oscillation of these feet may be varied by adjusting the block 32 in the slot 3| nearer to or farther from the axis of oscillation of the lever 29.

The feeding feet I9 are also given rising and falling movements in timed relation with their feed and return movements. These rising and falling movements are derived from an eccentric 39, on the main shaft 6. Surrounding the eccentric 39 is the strap end 43 of a pitman 4B, the other end of which is pivotally connected, at 40", with the outer end of a rock-arm 4i, fixed upon a feed-liftrock-shaft 42 journaled horizontally in the bracket-arm head 4. Secured upon the outer ends of the shaft 42 are two rockarms 43, each pivotally connected to the upper end of a link 44, the lower end of which is pivoted to one end of a lever 45, pivoted, at 46, to one of the collars I8 on one of the presser-bars. I Intermediate its ends each lever 45 is pivotally connected, at 45 to the upper end of a link 41 the lower end of which is pivoted to one of the radius bars 22, hereinbefore mentioned. Thus rotation of the eccentric 39 swings the anchor links 22 vertically about their pivots 23 thereby successively lifting and'depressing the feeding feet It fulcrumed upon the forward ends thereof.

During one-half rotation of the shaft 5 and the eccentric 39 carried thereby, downward movement of the pitman 40, the arms 43 and links 44 turn the levers 45 about their pivots 45, whereupon the levers function as levers of-the second order and depress the bars 22 and the feeding feet I9 pivoted thereto. When the feeding feet have engagd the work and have compressed it upon the throat-plate, and the feet therefore cannot be further depressed, further downward movement of the pitman 49, arms 43 and links 44 causes the levers 45 to turn about the pivots 45 and thus function as levers of the first order to raise the pivots 46, the presser-bars I8, collars I 3 shanks Il and the presser-feet I! carried by said shanks, thus taking the pressure of the presser-feet off the work during the time that the feeding feet I9 are oscillated rearwardly and the feed-dog E5 is reciprocated to feed the work.

During the other half rotation of the shaft 5 and eccentric 39, the pitman 4%, arms 43 and links 44 are moved upwardly thus first causing the presser-feet to be lowered upon the work after which further movement of the parts causes the levers 45, links 41 arid radius bars 22 to raise the feeding feet I9 preparatory to their forward oscillation by the elements 25 to 31.

From the foregoing it will be perceived that this invention has provided an improved top-feed and presser-foot lifting mechanism particularly adapted for heavy duty, multiple needle sewing machines and which may be used either separately as a top-feed mechanism or in conjunction with a suitable lower four-motioned feeding mechanism such, for example, as that disclosed in my above mentioned application, as an upper and under or clamp feeding mechanism.

It will also be apparent that, although the topfeed is disclosed in a heavy duty, wide gauge, multiple needle sewing machine and as including two feeding feet It cooperating with two presser-feet II, the invention is equally adaptable to lighter duty sewing machines having but a single upper feeding foot and a single cooperating presser-foot.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim herein is:

1. In a sewing machine having a frame includ ing a bracket-arm, a bracket-arm head and work-supporting plate; a rotary shaft journaled in said frame; an upper work-feeding mechanism located entirely above said work-supporting plate and comprising an arm fulcrumed on said head; a vertically disposed feeding-foot pivoted intermediate its ends to the free end of said arm and having a serrated work-engaging portion; feeddrive and feed-lift elements carried by said shaft; and operative connections between said elements and said feeding-foot including an endwise movable link connected with said feeding-foot at one side of the pivot thereof for giving to said foot feed and return movements and rising and falling movements.

2. In a sewing machine, a combination, a frame including a bracket-arm head and a work-supporting plate; a lower four-motioned work-feeding mechanism includin a feed-dog located beneath said work-supporting plate; a, rotary shaft journaled in said frame; an upper work-feeding mechanism located entirely above said work-supporting plate and comprising a radius bar fulerumed on said head; a feeding-foot pivoted to the free end of said radius bar; feed-drive and feed-lift eccentrics carried by said shaft; and eperative connections between said eccentrics and said feeding-foot for giving to said foot feed and return movements and rising and fallin movements in timed relation with th movements of the feed-dog of the lower work-feeding mechanism.

3. In a sewing machine, in combination, a

frame-including a bracket-armhead' and a worksupporting plate; a lower four-motioned workfeeding mechanism including a feed-dog-located beneath said work-supporting plate; a presserfoot opposed-to said work-supporting plate and provided with a slot; a rotary shaft journaled in said frame; an upper Work-feeding mechanism located entirely above said work-supporting plate and comprising an arm fulcrumed on said head; a feeding-foot pivotedto the free end'of saidarm and having-a serrated portion extending through the slotin said presser-foot; feed-drive and'feedlift eccentrics carriedby said shaft; and operative connections between said eccentrics" and said feeding-foot for giving to said foot feed and return movements and rising and falling movements in timed relation with the movements of the feed-dog of the lower Work-feeding mechanism.

4. In a sewing'machine having a frame including a, bracket-arm, a bracket-arm head and a work-supporting plate; a rotary shaft journaled in said frame; an upper work-feedin mechanism located entirely above said work-supporting plate and comprising a radius bar fulcrumed on said head; a feeding-foot pivoted to the free end of said radius bar; feed-drive and feed-lift, eccentrics carried by said shaft; an operative connection between said feed-lift eccentric and said feeding-foot for giving to said foot rising and fal1- ing movements; an operative connection between said feed-drive eccentric and said feeding-foot for giving to said foot feed and return movements in timed relation with its rising and falling movements; and means embodied in the last named connection for varying'the stroke of said feeding foot.

5. In a sewing machine, in combination, a frame including a bracket-arm head and a work-supporting plate; a lower work-feeding mechanism includin a four-motioned feed-dog located beneath said work-supporting plate; a rotary shaft journaled in. said frame; two spring-depressed presser-bars mounted in said head; a presser-foot carried by each of said presser-bars and each having a sole portion provided with a slot; an upper work-feeding. mechanism. located entirely above said work-supporting plate. and comprising two radius bars fulcrumed on said head; a, feedingfoot pivoted to the free end'of each of said radius bars, each of said feeding feet having a serrated portion extending through a slot in one of said presser-feet; feed-drive and feed-lift eccentrics carried by said shaft; operative connections between said feed-drive eccentric and said feedingfeet for giving to said feet feed and return movements in timed relation with the movements of the feed-dog of the lower work-feeding mechanism; and means actuated by said feed-lift eccentric and connected with said radius bars and said presser-bars for alternately raising and presser-bar mounted in said head; a presser-foot i carried by said presser-bar; a rotary shaft journaled in said bracket-arm; an upper work-feeding mechanism located entirely above said worksupporting plate and comprising a radius bar fulcrumed on said head; a feeding-foot pivoted to the free end of said radius bar; feed-drive and; feed-lift {eccentrics carried by said shaft within said head; means actuated by said feed-drive ec centric and connected with the feeding-foot to ing abracket-arm, a, bracket-arm head carried" thereby and a Work-supporting plate; a plurality of spring-depressed presser-bars mounted in said head; a presser-foot sup-ported by the lower end of each of said p'resser-bars, each of said presserfeet having a sole portion provided with a plurality of parallel slots; a work-feeding mechanism located wholly above said work-supporting plate and comprising two arms fulcrumed on said bracket-arm head adjacent the opposite sides thereof; a feeding-foot pivoted to each of said arms and having serrated portions extending through the slots in said presser-feet; means to oscillate said feeding-feet about their pivots to effect feed and return movements thereof; and means to give to said arms, and thereby to the feeding-feet, rising and falling movements in timed relation with their feed and return movements.

8. In asewing machine having a frame includin a bracket-arm, a bracket-arm head carried thereby and a work-supporting plate; a plurality of spring-depressed presser-bars mounted in said head; a shank'secured to the lower end of each of said presserbars; a presser-foot supported by each of said shanks, each of said presser-feet havinga sole portion provided with a plurality of parallel slots; a work-feeding mechanism located wholly above said work-supporting plate and comprising two arms fulcrumed on said bracket-arm head adjacent the opposite sides thereof; a feeding-f'oot pivoted to each of sa d arms and having serrated portions extendin-gthrough the slots in said presser-feet; means to oscillate said feedingfeet about their pivots to effect feed and return movements thereof, and means connected with said arms and with said presser-bars for alternately raising and lowering said feeding-feet and presser-feet.

' 9. An upper work-feeding mechanism for a sewing machine having a frame including a bracket-arm, a bracket-arm head and a worksupporting plate; comprising a' rotary shaft journaled'in said bracket-arm; feed-drive and feedlift eccentrics on said shaft; horizontally disposed feed-drive and feed-lift rock-shafts journaled in said bracket-arm head; operative connections between said feed-drive and feed-lift eccentrics and said feed-drive and feed-lift rockshafts, respectively; an arm fulcrumed on said head; a feeding-foot pivoted to said arm; means actuated by said feed-drive rock-shaft for moving said feeding-foot about its pivot to give to said foot feed and return movements; and means a'ctuated bysaid feed-lift rock-shaft to raise and lower said arm to give to said feeding-foot vertical movements in timed relation with its feed and return movements.

10. An upper work-feeding mechanism for a sewing machine having a frame including a bracket-arm, a bracket-arm head and a worksupporting plate comprising a rotary shaft journaled in said bracket-arm; feed-drive and feedlift eccentrics secured to said shaft within said head; horizontally disposed feed-drive and feedlift rock-shafts journaled in said bracket-arm head; operative connections between said feeddrive and feed-lift eccentrics and said feed-drive and feed-lift rock-shafts, respectively; a pair of radius bars fulcrumed on said head; a feedingfoot pivoted intermediate its ends to the free end of. each of said radius bars; means actuated by said feed-drive rock-shaft and engaging theupper ends of said feeding-feet for oscillating said feeding-feet about their pivots to give to said feet feed and return movements; and means actuated by said feed-lift rock-shaft to raise-and lower said arms to give to said feeding-feetvertical movements in timed relation with their feed and return movements. g 11. An upper work-feeding mechanism; for a sewing machine having a frame-- including a bracket-arm, a bracket-arm head and-a worksupporting plate; comprising a rotary shaft journaled in said bracket-arm; feed-drive andfeedlift eccentrics on said shaft; horizontally dis: posed feed-drive and feed-lift-rock-shafts journaled in said bracket-arm head; means to actuate said feed-lift rock-shaft from said feed-lift eccentric; a vertically disposed two-armed mem ber fulcrumed within said bracket-arm head; a pin-and-sleeve driving connection between the upper arm of said member and said feed-drive eccentric; an operative connection between the lower arm of said member and said feed-drive rock-shaft whereby rotation of said feed-drive eccentric effects oscillation of said two-armed member and said feed-drive rock-shaft; anarm fulcrumed on said head; a feeding-foot pivoted to said arm; means actuated by said feed-drive rock-shaft for moving said feeding-foot about its pivot to give to said foot feed and return movements; and means actuated by said feed-lift rock-shaft to raise andlower said arm to give to said feeding-foot vertical movements in timed relation with its feed and return movements.

12.A workeeding mechanism fora sewing machine as set forth in claim 11 in which the lower arm of the vertically disposed two-armed member is formed as a segment; in which a rockarm is secured to and projects from the feeddrive rock-shaft; and in which oscillatory motion is transmitted to said feed-drive rock-shaft from said two-armed member by a link which is pivoted at one end to the rock-armand has its other end adjustably secured to said segment. 13. An upper work-feeding mechanism for a sewing machine having a frame including a bracket-arm, a bracket-arm head and a work-supporting plate; comprising a. rotary shaft journaled in said bracket-arm; feed-drive and feedlift eccentrics on said shaft; horizontally disposed feed-drive and feed-lift rock-shafts journaled in said bracket-arm head; an operative connection between said feed-drive eccentric and said feed-drive rock-shaft; a first rock-arm secured to and projecting from said feed-lift rockshaft; a pitman having one end surrounding said feed-lift eccentric and its other end connected to said first rock-arm; a second rock-arm secured to said feed-lift rock-shaft; a radius bar fulcrumed on said head; a feeding-foot pivoted to said arm; means actuated by said feed-drive rock-shaft for moving said feeding-foot about its pivot to give to said foot feed and return movements; and means actuated by said second rock-arm to raise and lower said radius bar to give to said feedingfoot vertical movements in timed relation with its feed and return movements.

14. An upper work-feeding mechanism for a sewing machine having a frame including a bracket-arm, a bracket-arm head carried thereby, and a work-supporting plate; comprising a rotary shaft journaled in said bracket-arm; a feed-drive eccentric and a feed-lift eccentric on said shaft; horizontally disposed feed-drive and feed-lift rock-shafts journaled in said bracketarm head; operative connections between said feed-drive and feed-lift eccentrics and said feeddrive and feed-lift rock-shafts, respectively; two arms fulcrumed on said bracket-arm head adjacent the opposite sides thereof, said arms being arranged substantially horizontal and parallel to each other; a feeding-foot pivoted to each of saidyarms; means actuated by said feed-drive rock-shaft for moving eachof the feeding-feet about its pivot to give said feet feed and return movements; and means actuated by said feed-lift rock-shaft to raise and lower said arms to give to said feeding-feet vertical movements in timed relation with their feed and return movements.

' RUDOLPH BECKER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Kelso Aug. 3, 1937 Number 

